A/N: I am soooo sorry I haven't updated lately! I am going to finish this story though no matter how long it takes. I suggest that the people that are reading this story to REVIEW please because it does serve as inspiration for more updates. There are people who did review for my last chapter and I promise that I will reply as soon as possible J Thanks to everyone that has reviewed my story! Another thing that I have to explain about this chapter is that during 500 BC, the country known as India didn't exist but was only a land named Hindustan. Kind of like the Americas, and there are USA and Canada within the Americas. So the kingdom that Farah is from is called is Virata, which does not exist in 500 BC but I did that on purpose. The place she wants to go is the Kingdom of Matsya where her sister is at. My information on these kingdoms is NOT accurate; I only got this information from a 500 BC map of the Achaemenid Empire. Enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW.

Definitions:

Panchala Empire: A kingdom during 500 BC in modern day India that was from the Himalayas to the river Ganges.

Virata Empire: A kingdom during an unknown time before 500 BC in modern day India in the area of the state known as Rajasthan.

Surasena Empire: A kingdom during 500 BC in modern day India in the area of the state known as Uttar Pradesh.

Matsya Empire: A kingdom during 500 BC in modern day India in the area of the states known as Rajasthan and Haryana.

Heer: Hindi for Self Respect.

Edi: Hindi for herb.

Mahir: Hindi for Skillful.

Chapter 6: Farewell

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Persia

The wooden wheels turned slowly clockwise as it churned the sand under it, hardly making any forward movement because the camels were too tired. The cotton blue shawl around Farah's face protected her from the heat and kept her luscious black hair from flying in every direction. She kept a good grip on the shawl so that it won't fly away either, and she also gripped her bag in her other hand. Her eyes scanned the outskirts of the marketplace looking for a very peculiar looking bunch of caravans, but often she would look behind her back to check if the Prince is there. To her disappointment, he isn't there. In fact, they haven't spoken to each other for a week since that day. Constantly, she reminded herself that it is her decision to leave and she must stick to it. However, the thought of leaving the Prince in such a negative note didn't seem to settle with her. He offered a home, and treated her like royalty. The least she could do is apologize to him. Many times during the week she walked towards his chambers, but like a coward she hesitated and avoided him. The coward in her still is in her as she kept her feet planted on the ground rather than finding the Prince. She lowered her gaze in thought; he should know where she is.

"Lady Farah look!" Farah immediately looked up thinking it was the Prince finally coming to say farewell to her. However, again to her utter disappointment it isn't him. Gradually, the faint smile that had formed on her face soon became her customary emotionless plain face. Farah focused on the caravans that were pointed out and indeed these caravans matched the descriptions given by the trader. In all, there are three medium sized caravans that carried a variety of exotic treasures Farah knew of. The blue and green peacocks with flaring tails that resembled eyes slept auspiciously in a cage of one of the caravans. The other caravans carried spices, rice, and mangoes fresh from the farms that produced these delicious items. She could smell the spices from a mile away and still be reminded of home; however she had to be careful about the people behind the caravans. Indeed, they are of Hindustan origin, but the place itself is big composed of many different kingdoms. The flag is placed in plain view on the caravan and it clearly states they are of the Panchala Dynasty. Farah remembers this kingdom, and the relationship between her kingdom and this one could only be described as a love hate relationship. Often the fights between her kingdom known as Virata against the Panchalas would cause a rift with the powerful kingdom of Surasena. However, as far as she knows, the Kingdom of Virata is long dead with her father. Probably, if she presents herself as a commoner of Matsya from Jaipur, they would allow her to come along. Of course money would play a huge factor to travel with these caravans. She softly gripped the delicate hand on her shoulder and squeezed it for support while turning to face the two young women who stood by her during this time. Aara and Adileh seem like her guardian angels they stood by held her up to keep on waiting, and kept her hopes alive. Yet, these two dusky sisters viewed her as something divine sent by Zoacaster himself. It seemed absurd to Farah, how can she be viewed as a savior. But, no matter what she appreciated their company and enjoyed exchanging stories with one another. Looking for support and assurance in Adileh's deep dark eyes she gripped her hand tighter prompting a reaction. Adileh slightly nodded then averted her eyes away, and Farah recognized her answer. The slight nod meant that she understood why she is leaving but didn't agree with it, why would she think that? Farah looked at Aara and noticed that her reaction is the same as Adileh's.

"You don't agree with me leaving?" Farah asked curiously as she let go of Adileh's hand.

"It's not as cut and dry as that." Adileh tentatively explained in her tiny voice.

"What do you mean?" She asked and both of the women straightened themselves glancing at each other.

"The road to your home is dangerous and unpredictable." Aara explained with wide worried eyes.

"What do you wish to accomplish by going there? What if there is nothing there?" Adileh asked as she gripped her shawl tighter as the wind blew more sand towards her.

"Don't worry I will be fine." Farah cheerfully assured them but they didn't seem so convinced.

"How do you know?" Aara asked, and Farah honestly closed her eyes in thought for the answer when she opened her eyes again.

"Because of this." She signaled to the bag she held in her hand. "These belongings are from a special person who will always look after me and make sure that I will be safe." It may seem awkward, strange, or perhaps even desperate that she still kept Arjun's belongings for protection but for some reason she felt safe with his belongings. She smiled when both Aara and Adileh gave her perplexed looks.

...

He left imprints over the sands he crossed as he raced across the streets anxiety overruling all of his decisions. Wearing only a poor man's clothing he held on to a blue necklace and he held on to it tightly as he ran. He didn't catch any attention as he looked like a street rat but he is really their king in the streets of Babylon. Many things ran through his mind and decisions that he isn't quite sure if it is right. The whole week he thought only of Farah and all of the things he regretted. He finally came to the conclusion that perhaps they were not meant for each other. He instinctively flinched at the thought of it. Maybe it is destiny that they cannot be together and she is better off without him. He still loved her, and he will never stop loving her. But, it is the cruel fate that he must live with, and she shall roam her home as a bachelorette. Sometimes he wished she would somehow magically remember their love, and she would come running into his arms. He gripped the necklace firmer. Should he continue to chase after a woman that is dead set on distancing herself from him? Or should he focus on his people and his empire, he chose the latter. He stopped on top of higher ground above the marketplace the exact area where Farah is. After scanning the marketplace he spotted her next to two other women. Immediately he began to sweat and panic he wanted to go talk to her. He wanted to stop her and shut her in a room or to at least say goodbye. But, his feet are glued to the ground like a coward. Afraid that he may say something that will make more distance between them. He continued to observe her from afar admiring her beauty while he rubbed the blue necklace between his fingers.

Farah took her first steps towards the caravans tentatively and she felt oddly that she is being watched. She turned slightly to scan from behind and her eyes caught a pair of the clearest set of blue eyes hidden partly from a hood. Is that him? He didn't move but kept staring at her and she wanted to speak to ask him to forgive her. But, the words never formulated as she stood there staring at him. Should she go there and talk to him.

"Is something wrong?" Adileh asked as she looked in the direction Farah is looking.

With a final look Farah shook away the stare and turned away to Adileh masking her sadness with a smile. "Nothing." She answered and continued to walk to the caravans with Adileh following behind her.

"Good Morning." Farah greeted as she approached the traders, and at first they tensed up not knowing who is coming to them. Once they saw Farah they began to relax a bit as Farah bowed and they clasped hands.

"Morning." One of the traders said to Farah, and Farah smiled back while she tried to come up with how she is going to ask them.

"I see that you are traders of Panchala." She started trying to make a conversation and they nodded their heads. "Are you going to leave Babylon today to go back to Panchala?" She asked and they looked at her curiously.

"Yes we are leaving, but why is it of any concern of yours?" They asked and Farah cleared her throat.

"Well, I am from Matsya and I was wondering if I can hitch a ride with you." She answered and they again looked at her peculiarly.

"You don't look very Hindustani to me, and seem Persianized." He said as he examined her and she was caught off guard. How could she forget that she wore Persian clothing and followed Persian customs?

"It's a long story, but please can I come with you?" She asked with pleading eyes wondering if they will agree with her as they exchanged looks.

"Well-"

"I have money." She cut him off, and they slowly nodded making her grin in excitement.

"My name is Heer." One of the traders said as he motioned to himself with old tired wrinkly hands. He smiled and even though he is old but when he smiled he seemed to get ten years younger. He then motioned to another person that was significantly younger than him but barred similarities to him. "This is my son, Mahir." Then he pointed to another person that looked completely different than him but equally as old. "And this is Edi, a good friend of mine." He explained and Farah hesitantly greeted all of them.

"I am Farah." She said, as she looked at them and they nodded their approval.

"Beautiful name, I believe it is of foreign origin." Edi commented as Farah smiled back.

"You can travel in my caravan, if you are comfortable with it." Heer explained and Farah nodded dismissively.

"That's fine." She answered, and they motioned to go back to their caravans to leave. Farah turned around and approached Aara, Immediately; Aara gave Farah a hug that almost squeezed all of the air from her lungs. "I'm going to be fine." Farah whispered trying to make Aara calm.

"You say that, but you don't these people. How could you trust them?" She asked as she didn't let go of Farah.

"I don't trust them, but I have faith in myself that I will reach there." Slowly, Aara let go of Farah from the hug. Adileh stood with big worried eyes and the only thing that Farah could do is smile to her giving assurance that she will be fine on the long journey. As she let go of Adileh she carefully scanned each inch of Babylon from her view. She looked for that mysterious stranger with blue eyes, but she couldn't find him anymore. Every structure, the smell, and the entire scenery are a memorable foot print in her mind. The first steps to the caravan of Heer seemed like centuries and filled of terrible scenarios, and her breathing became heavy.

"Will we ever see you again?" Adileh asked, and Farah honestly didn't know if she will ever come back to Babylon. She looked at Babylon again and a knowing smile came to her dusky face. In her heart she knew that Babylon is sort of her home. "Farewell, Adileh and Aara.. It was a pleasure meeting the both of you." Although they seemed disappointed by the answer they nodded their understanding to Farah's answer. Heer's hand extended through the caravan for the Farah to take, and with one last look at Babylon she gingerly took his hand.